Joy and Goofiness – Two Underrated Paths to Happiness
An often overlooked important part of happiness is regularly engaging in activities that bring you joy.
We are our best selves when we feel fulfilled, and doing what brings us JOY is a huge part of that.
So often when life gets busy or heavy, doing what brings us joy is the first thing to go.
But that’s when we need it the most.
Sometimes people get so busy with the demands of life and feel overwhelmed that they are not even sure what brings them joy anymore.
Or they find themselves with some free time, yet don’t know what to do, because they did not plan anything. So they end up doing nothing.
Or turning to the phone for entertainment, which does little for mental health, and can even bring your mood down.
For positive mental health, follow my framework of The 4 Ps.
Prioritize your mental health. Plan health-promoting activities. Practice them often. Prosper, even during difficult times.
Positive mental health doesn’t just happen. You need to prioritize your mental health and take action. Even during difficult times. Even when life feels heavy. Especially when life feels heavy and overwhelming.
When you do them on a regular basis, they become habit. I like to view them as “practices.” All practice means is focused attention, and repetition. Do them on a regular basis, and soon you will not need to think about doing them. They will simply become part of your routine to foster your own joy and happiness – and then bring that joy and happiness to others.
A consistent paths to joy is –> goofiness.
You may have heard the phrase, “Laughter is good medicine.” Well, science demonstrates that it really is!!
Laughter releases endorphins, a natural pain and stress reliever. Laughter helps us feel connected to others. It has been demonstrated to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, with the frequency of laughter being associated with good cardiac health. Check out these findings HERE.
Goofiness…
· Makes conflict less daunting
· Makes you more authentic and likable
· Takes the pressure off of being perfect
· Makes chores more enjoyable
· Fosters closeness with couples
Want to try a research-backed method related to humor that decreases symptoms of depression? It’s called the “Three Funny Things” practice, by the Greater Good Science Center. You can check out that simple practice HERE.
If you’re like me and want to know the research, check out this article:
They found that people who wrote about their three funny things every night had decreased symptoms of depression. And this increase in happiness was present six months later!
What can you do today for JOY or to be goofy??
Create the time. You’ll be glad you did!
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